How do you all store your landing net on a PA14? I recently installed an H-Crate and this takes up the rear cargo area where I used to lay my net. My net is about 20" diameter. I fish in a windy area so consequently net-up vertical storage is problematic due to sail effect. I was considering getting one of the folding nets. But if someone has figured out a clever way of storing with net-down, handle-up on an H-Crate or behind the seat without interfering with the tie down straps or 4-corner rod storage, I'd love to see it.

I have a long handled wooden net with a leash that lays behind the crate with the handle up beside the seat.

Tombsy - how do you arrange the net handle with respect to the H-Crate corner straps? I tried tucking it beneath the straps, but then it was not quickly retrievable when needed, causing me to lose a salmon at boatside yesterday. I tried laying it across the top of the straps and had to double back to recover the net when waves bumped it overboard.

HStrech wrote:

The H-Rail G-Hold might solve it for you. Two would be best to keep your net secured in the horizontal position.

Howie - I routinely use the H-Crate corner rod storage for 4 rods. So I don't think I could mount those G-Hold clamps to the H-Crate without sacrificing storage for 2 of those rods.

My net is smaller 21" and it lays in the side behind the strap. It has a leash and it floats so I don't have to worry about it, I already lost a new net that was supposed to float . But it saw some action yesterday a few nice rainbows 5 lb plus.

Nice job on the rainbow, Tombsy!Thanks for the photographer. Hard to tell because of the tackle tray, but it looks like you don't have the H-Crate tied down in the 4 corners? My straps attach to the 2 aft-most pad eyes, which prevents the net from laying on the deck.

Is your PA 14 pre-H-rail integration? I was thinking you'd mount the g-holds to the h-rail on the gunnel of your kayak.

Howie - I have a 2016 with H-Rail, but I'm afraid that my net would interfere with playing a fish if the it were clipped to the outside of the gunwale, or interfere with pedaling if clipped to the inside. I'd rather have it behind me, if possible. Maybe by strapping to the opposite side padeyes (right front and rear H-Crate corners fastened to left front and rear padeyes, and left H-Crate corners to the right padeyes). This would still provide 4-point restraints but should reduce the vertical interference of the straps on the net. We'll see.

HStrech wrote:

Is your PA 14 pre-H-rail integration? I was thinking you'd mount the g-holds to the h-rail on the gunnel of your kayak.

I have a telescoping Frabill, and I just stick it in one of the two built-in rod holders behind the seat. But since you are worried about wind, why not install a paddle holder clamp on the side below the gunwale and snap the handle into that. You'd have a few inches of the net hoop and mesh in the water, but that shouldn't be any problem at all.

Problem solved (I think).I studied the gear setup in the garage and ended up just Gooping a 3/4" stub of wine cork to the rear deck. This is positioned to permit the bottom of the business end of the net to rest against the recessed rear-deck sidewall. It worked fine in light chop today, but may not in bumpier conditions. We'll see.

If your net doesn't float it looks like you could slide a piece of pool noodle on the handle. It's nice to be able to just leave the net in the water on a leash while you deal with the fish.

Good idea about the leash, Tombsy. I have about 10" of pool noodle on the handle, so it does float. But I had not considered just tossing it overboard on a leash when dealing with a landed fish in the cockpit. Thanks for the suggestion - I learn something new here every day!

Like Jim_MI, I leash my "large salmon net" with a 6' long, 1/4" nylon line.People laugh at me about 33" wide, "open mouth, insert fish net", but I won't lose another 34" long, German Brown trout due to using a 22" wide net

Since I don't have anything on the back of my PA-14, the net just lays flat with the handle along side my seat....easy to reach for instant use and no worry if I drop it in the water.